Pana Man Sentenced in Shelby County to 21 Years in Prison for Drugs

Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke announced that Aaron B. Coulter of Pana was sentenced to 21 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections Wednesday for the offense of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver with Prior Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Conviction (a Class X Felony offense). Coulter will also be required to pay a statutory “street value” fine totaling $14,000.

Coulter previously served six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a Christian County conviction for Methamphetamine manufacturing between 15 and 100 grams. Coulter was arrested on March 25 after a Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped his vehicle for an equipment violation. The police canine (Kilo) alerted to the passenger side lower door seam of the vehicle. Between 100 and 400 grams of methamphetamine were discovered within the vehicle after the canine alerted.

State’s Attorney Kroncke complimented the proactive investigative efforts of Deputy David Myers, stating that “a drug dealer whose selfish actions poisoned this community has been brought to justice and will no longer endanger the law abiding citizens of Shelby County.” Canine Kilo is assigned to Deputy David Myers. The two are trained to work together to eradicate drug trafficking.